Corn-popping apparatus.



- c. canons.

CORN PUPPING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-20, I9I5.

1,2O180'7. Y Patented 0@t.17,1916.

5 SHEETS-SHET 1.

I IIIIIIIIII` C. CRETORS. CORN POPPING APPARATUS.

APPLIcATmN man Auvchzo. 1915.

1,201,807. Patented oct. 17,1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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1m: mmms Parras can Pnaro umu., wsmnumm o c CQCRETORS. CORNPOPPING APPARATUS. Anus/11108' r|Lso"Aus.2o. 191s,

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c. cnnqns. CORN POPPl-NGHAPPARATUS. APPLIATIUN FILED AUG. 20. |915.

Patented Oct. 17, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

C. CRETORS. coRN PoPPlNG APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.20. 1915.

1,201,807.- A Patented o0t.17,1916.

4 5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

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@arles Creer-.5',

CHARLES CRETORS, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CORN-POPPING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented oet. 17, y1916.

Application filed August 20, 1915. Serial No. 46,490.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it .known that I, CHARLES Camions, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corn-Poppiug Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the pan type of corn popping apparatus an example/ of which formsthe sub]ect matter of my prior Patent No. 728,550, o-f May 17, 1903. And

' gagement of said cover with the driving mechanism ofthe apparatus and an attainment of a fully opened position of said cover and a free and unimpeded escape of the popped corn during the further continued popping operation of the apparatus. The arrangement of the machanism is such that with the expiration of a predetermined period of time in such popping operation and during which the popping` of the mass or charge of corn is effected, the popping pan or vessel is automatically brought into operative engagement with vthe driving mechanism ofthe apparatus and receives a seini1evoli1tion therefrom so as to assume an inverted position in which it remains for a predetermined period oftime to permit of thefree discharge of the remaining contents of the popping pan or vessel. With the eX- piration of the last mentioned period of time the popping pan orvessel is again operatively engaged to receive a further semirevolution, and assume its original' position ready to receive a fresh charge of corn for a succeeding popping operation, all as will hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of an automatic corn )o i nino' a )oaratus embod 7inO` the )referred l l l e i e form of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a top view `of the same. Fig. 3, is a side' elevation, showing the apparatus with the pan cover in its partly opened condition in full lines, and in its fully opened condition in dotted lines. Fig. 4, is a-companion side view illustrating the popping pan and accessories in an inverted ordischarging position. Fig. 5, is an enlarged central vertical sectionY of the apparatus. Fig. 6, is an enlarged detailplan'of the pivot connections, etc., of the pan cover. Fig. 7, is a detail vertical sectional elevation on line Fig. 6, illus-4 trating the intermediate shaft and accessories, by which automatic opening movement is imparted to the pan cover, and also showing the primary holding means for the clutch sleeve of thermechanism, as Well as the timing mechanism thereof. Fig. 8, is a detail vertical sectionv on line n n/2.', Fig. 7. Fig. 9, is a perspective view of the aforesaid sectional shaft and its accesso-ries, in a detached condition. Fig. 10, is a detail horizontal section on line 2 m2, Fig. 8. FiOnll, is an elevation ofa portion of the toothed rim of the bevel gear wheel of the associated popping pan and burner of the apparatus, and illustrating one of the mutilated portions of said rim. Fig. 12, is a detail elevation, partly in section, of the aforesaid bevel gear wheel and its accessories. Fig. 13, is a sectional elevation in a direction opposite to that in which Fig. 12 is taken, and illustrating the frame hub and accessories lwith which the aforesaid bevel gear wheel is associated. Fig. 14, is a detail elevation of the timing mechanism by which the intermittent semi-rotary movements of the popping pan and .accessories are governed. Fig. 15, is adetail horizontal section on linel x3-w3, Fig. 7, of operating eccentric, and ratchet disk and pawl portionof the timing mechanism aforesaid. Fig. 16, is a detached perspective view of the parts comprising the primary holding mechanism of the apparatus and which is actuated by the opening movement of the pan cover. Fig. V17, is a detail horizontal section illustrating the pivoted connection of the cam finger to the %emi-rotary stem which carries the holding toe of the aforesaid primary holding mechamsm.

Similar reference numerals indicate likey vertically arranged primary driving shaftv 2 which receives constant rotation from any suitable power source.

3 designates an enlarged hollow head forming the upper part of the column 1 and providing bearings for the upper end of the aforesaid shaft 2, and other rotatable parts hereinafter described, as well as a support for the stationary horizontal bracket tube 4, upon which the hereinafter described fuel gas burner and associated popping pan are revolubly mounted to` turn in a vertical plane. n

. 5 designates the annular inclosing shell of the fuelk gas burner, and 6 designates the fuel gas burner which may be of any ordinary and suitable formation, and which in the present construction is provided with a horizontally disposed tubular member 7 adapted to fit land turn upon the stationary bracket tube 4 above described.

-8 designates a stationary valve member arranged in the bore of the aforesaid tubular member 4 andnear the outer end of the same as shown in Fig. 5.

` enlarged head 3 aforesaid, and has at its lower end a handle 13 for manual operation. 14 designates a friction spring associated Y with the aforesaid shaft 12 and the head 3,

to frictionally retard the turning movement of the valve 8 in a manual operation of the same.

15 designates a cup-shaped bevel gear wheel secured to the outer end of the tubular member 7 of tlie burner 6, and adapted for operative engagement with tlie primary pinion 16, andthe auxiliary pinion 17 hereinafter described. The portion of the bevel gear teeth of the wheel 15 that meshes with the primary pinion 16 are continuous of the circumference of said wheel, while the portion of the bevel gear teeth of said wheel 15k that meshes with the auxiliary pinion 17 have ainutilated form, and to such end are formed with diametrically opposed mutila'" tions or gaps 18 and 19, as shown in Figs. -ll and 12, for the purpose hereinafter described in connection with the detailed description of the aforesaid pinions 16 and 17, and their operative connections.

2()v designates an a nular recess in the cavity of the bevel gear wheel 15, for the reception of a frictionring 21, and for engagement with a holding dog 22, hereinafter described.

21 designates the resilient friction ring above referred to, and which is provided the .column head 3, and pivotally supports the dog 22 in place, so that it can be tui-neu outwardly to engage in the aforesaid annular recessof the bevel gear wheel 15, to prevent longitudinal disengagement of said bevel gear wheel and its associated parts from a normal operative position on the stationary bracket tube 4, before described.

24 designates the approximately iiat bot tom popping pan or vessel of the apparatus, which in the present structure is provided with a Haring marginal wall, which in turn ends in a down turned annular skirt 24 as illustrated in Fig. 5. The said skirt 24 is adapted to impart stiffness to the pan 24, as well as to retain the heated products of combustion in contact with the marginal portion of the popping pan 24.

25 designates marginally disposed bars constituting supporting connection between the popping pan 24 and the burner casing 5, as shown.

126 designates the top member or hood of the popping pan 24, of a truncated cone form, with its lower margin engaged within the Haring upturned margin of the pan 24, and with its contracted open upper end closed by the pan cover hereinafter described. Tlie above described form of the top member 26, is adapted to retard the upward How of the popping mass of corn and direct the same toward the pan cover above referred to, and effect a partial opening of the same. The construction is also adapted to prevent a premature spilling of the top portion of the mass of corn before the same has fully popped.

27 designates the pan cover above referred to, and which is provided with a central downturned convex web 28, adapted to direct the popped corn, as it expands, in a said cover during the practical operation of the apparatus. The cover 27 is pivotally connected to the supporting column 1, by means and inthe manner hereinafter described in detail. l

29 designate the stirrer blades, preferably formed of strips of resilient metal, as in my aforesaid Letters Patent No. 728,550, and carried by a centrally disposed hub member 30, which is journaled by a depending shaft 31 in the bottom web of the pan 24, as shown.

32 designates a stufiing box arranged in the top portion of an enlarged inner or central head of the tubular member 7 aforesaid, and through said stufiing box 32, the lower portion of the depending shaft 31 aforesaid, passes in a gas tight manner.

33 designates a bevel gear wheel secured to the lower end of the shaft 31 and within the chamber of the aforesaid head of the tubular member 7, as shown in Fig. 5.

34 designates a companion bevel gear wheel in operative engagement with the bevel gear wheel 33, and carried by a hori- Zontal shaft 35, arranged within the tubular member 7, and having operative engagement with the primary driving shaft 2, through a pair of bevel gear wheels 36, as shown.

37 designates a bracket head carried by a vertical post or standard k38 on the enlarged head 3 of the supporting column 1, and

formed with forked overhanging arms for the pivotal attachment of the carrying arm 39 of the aforesaid cover 27 of the popping pan 24.

40 designates a vertically depending stem upon which the aforesaid pan cover 27 and convex web 28 are secured so as to be carried thereby. At its upper end the stem 40 is revolubly mounted in the free end of the aforesaid carrying arm 39, and the lowery end of said stem 40, is adapted to have turning engagement in a central socket formed therefor in the upper end of the hub member 30 aforesaid, with a view to steadying the said stem and the cover members 27, 2S, in their free rotation in actual use. Vith the described construction, the cover members 27, 2S and stem 40 have free rotation,

vand in addition have movement in a vertical plane along with the carrying arm 39 aforesaid. At its pivotal end, said carrying arm 39 is of a forked formation and has pivotal connection with the forked arms of the bracket head u37, by a transverse pivot shaft 41.

42 designates a toothed sector secured to the carrying arm 39 in concentric relation to the axis of the pivot shaft 41, and is adapted for intermittent operative engagement with a worm hub hereinafter described.

43 designates a vertical shaft arranged in during certain stages in the operation of the apparatus. Accordingly the sole function of the auxiliary pinion 17 is to assist in turning the bevel gear wheel 15, until one or the other of the mutilations or gaps 13 or 19 of said wheel 15 is reached and occupied by said auxiliary pinion 17, and thus l insure a full semi-revolution of said bevel wheel 15 and its accessories.

45 designates a clutch sleeve or collar surrounding the shaft 43 and adapted to rotate therewith, while having limited independent vertical movement thereon through an intermediate sliding connection hereinafter described. The lower portion of the bore of said sleeve 45 is enlarged to receive a circular clutch rim 16 formed on the above nientioned bevel pinion 1G, and said bore is provided with a vertical rib or ribs 46 adapted to engage in the clutch recess of the clutch rim 16 aforesaid, to lock the bevel gear 1G and clutch sleeve 45 together for simultaneous rotation. The aforesaid rib or ribs 46 are preferably in sliding engagement with a vertical rib or spline 47 on the vertical shaft 43, to insure positive rotation of the clutch sleeve 45 along with the shaft 43.

43 designates a sleeve iixedly secured to the shaft 43, with its lower end fitting the upper bore of the clutch sleeve 45, and forming an abutment for an intermediate spring 49, the `tendency of which is to force the aforesaid sleeve 45 downward into clutching engagement with the bevel pinion 16, aforesaid.

50 and 51 designate top and bottom cir- 4bar having sliding movement in a vertical slide groove inthe shaft 43 and having an out turnedlower end 55, moving in a vertically elongated slot in the 'abutment sleeve 48, and-fixedly connected to the clutch sleeve 45, as illustrated more particularly in Fig. 8. Saidlocling bar 54, is also formed with an out-turned upper end 56, adapted for clutching engagement with a clutch tooth 57 on the eccentric sleeve 53 when the clutch sleeve 45 is `in a lowered position. Vith said clutch sleeve 45 in its fully raised position the aforesaid end 56 of the locking bar is out of clutching engagement with the clutch tooth 57, and no rotary movement is communicated from the shaft 43 to the eccentric 52 during such position ofthe said clutch sleeve 45.

58 and 5 9 designate a primary cam wing and a secondary cam wing carried on the perimeter of the bevel gear wheel 15, in a ldiametrically opposed relation, and adapted for operative engagement with the aforesaid clutch sleeve 45 to lift vthe same vertically into the two raised positions hereinafter described and in which positions the said clutch sleeve 45 is held by the two sets of'holding means hereinafter described, and to such end the secondary cam wing 59 will have a greater lift than the companion pri-v mary cam wing 58.

The primary holding `means above referred to, comprises an automatically operating mechanism as follows z-- designates a horizontally swinging toe, adapted to move beneath the aforesaid circular top iiange 50 of the clutch sleeve 45 to hold said clutch sleeve in its fully raised condition, and in whichno movement is imparted to the timing mechanism of the apparatus,

owing to the fact that the upper end 56 ofy the-locking bar 54 is raised out of operative engagement with the clutch tooth 57 of the operating eccentric 52 of such timing mechanism..l G1 designates a vertical pivot stem carrying the aforesaid holding toe 60, and having journal bearing in the bracket head 37, with the upper end of said stem associated with a `torsion spring G2, the tendency of which is to force the toe 60 beneath the flange `50 above referred to. Y

G3 designates a worm hub turning with `the shaft 43 and capable of independent vertical movement thereon by means of a pin 64 on said hub moving in a vertical groove in the shaft 43, as shown more particularly in Fig. 8. The worm or screwthread on the exterior of the hub 63, is out of operative engagement with the teeth of the sector 42, aforesaid, when the popping pan cover 27, is closed, and said operative engagement is automatically effected, .as the said cover is partly raised by the expansion of the popped corn within the popping pan 24. With the operative engagement ofthe parts thus established, the worm hub 63 acts upon the toothed sector 42, to raise the pan having a spiral cam groove adapted for operative engagement-with a lateral pin 67 'on the pivot stem 61 of the holding toe (30,

and the arrangement is such that as the cover 27 1s moving to its fully open position, the cam groove of the hub GG will impart a turning movement to the pin 67, pivot y stem G1 and holding toe 6,0, to release said toe from its holding engagement with the upper holding flange 50 of the clutch sleeve 45, to permit the same to partially descend into holding engagement with the hereinafter described secondary holding means.

The amount of the above' mentioned descent of the clutch sleeve 45, brings the upper end 56 of the locking bar 54r into operative engagement with the clutch tooth 57 to impart rotary movement from the shaft 43 to the operating eccentric 52 of the timing mechanism before referred to.

In the construction shown, the pin 67 abo-ve referred to, is pivoted to the stem G1, as shown in Fig. 17, in order that it may ride over the cam hub G6, when a reverse movement is imparted to said hub Vin the closing of the cover 27 of the popping pan, by hand, `in the beginning of a succeeding operation of the mechanism.

The secondary holding means before referred to comprises an assemblage of parts as follows :-68 designates a pivotedholding dog adapted to engageV beneath the bottom iiange 51 of the clutch sleeve 45, to hold the same in a position in which the timing mechanism will be in active operation, and the bevel pinion 16 will be out of operative engagement with the shaft 43. Said holding dog 68 is preferably provided with av thumb piece or extension 69 for the manual actuation by the operator, when so required in the continued use of the apparatus.

70 designates a trip lever, one arm of which has operative vengagement with the holding dog 68 aforesaid, while the other arm extends into the path of a plurality of operating studs of the timing mechanism now to be described.

71 designates a ratchet disk journaled on the extension 38 of the main column 1, and adaptedto receive a step by step rotation from a dog or pawl forming a part of the pivoted yoke 72 of the operating eccentric 52, aforesaid, and as illustrated more particularly in Figs. A14 and 15.

73 and 74 designate a pair of operating studs disposed in circular spaced relation on the side of the ratchet disk 71 and adapted in the progressive rotation of said disk, to successively operate the trip lever 70, to in turn release the holding dog 684 from its holding engagement beneath the lower flange 51 of the clutch sleeve 45, to permit the same to descend and have operative engagement with the bevel pinion 16 and impart the required intermittent semi-revolutions to the popping pan 24, and its accessories in manner set forth in the operation of the apparatus'.

7 5 designates a torsion spring disposed between the arm 39 of the pan cover 27, and

the bracket 37, to form a balance for theV pan cover in its opening and closing movements.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: The operator having placed a charge of raw corn in theY popping pan 24, moves the pan cover 27 down into a closed position, and in doing so disengages the toothed sector from operative engagement with its operating worm hub 63. As said charge of raw corn, under the influence of the heat of the burner 6, begins to pop, its consequent increase in bulk will cause the mass of corn to rise against the cover 27 and effect a partial opening of the same and move the toothed sector 42 into operative engagement with the worm hub 63 to in turn effect a fully open condition of said cover 27. In

the above mentioned opening movement of the cover 27, the cam hub 66 1n its turning movement along with said cover, actuates the primary holding mechanism 60, 61, 62, to'release the clutch sleeve 45 and permit the same to descend onto the holding dog 68 of the secondary holding mechanism. In such descent the upper end 56 of the locking bar 54 is brought into operative engagement with the clutch tooth 57 of the operating eccentric 52 of the timing mechanism. The rotation of theI eccentric 52 now begins and imparts a progressive step by step rotation to the ratchet disk 71 andin time brings the primary stud' 73 into operative engagement with the trip lever 70, to ac tuate the same and release the holding dog 68 from engagement beneath the lower 'flange 51 of the clutch sleeve 45 and permit the same to move down into its lower position. In such downwardl movement of the clutch sleeve 45, through its rib or ribs 47, engages the clutch rim 16 of the bevel pinion 16 to cause the same to revolve with the operatingshaft 43, and said pinionnow operates to impart a semi-revolution to the `bevel gear Wheel 15, and to the popping'paw,

fuel gas burner 6 and other accessories which are operatively connected with said bevel gear wheel 15. IVith such semi-revolution of the parts, the popping pan 24, etc., are in an inverted position and remain in such position for a period of timeto permit the discharge of the remaining contents of the popping pan. i

The full semi-revolution of the above mentioned parts is controlled, and more than a semi-revolution prevented, by the action of. the primary cam ring 5S on the bevel gear wheel 15, acting against the lower flange 51 of the clutch sleeve 45, to raise such clutch sleeve out of clutching' engagement with the bevel pinion 16, byA which the rotation of the bevel gear wheel 15 is effected, and the parts are held such disengaged condition by a rengagement of the dog 68 beneath the aforesaid lower flange 51 of the clutch sleeve 45. In this connection the auxiliary pinion 17, having constant rotation with the oper-` ating shaft 48, acts to effect any remain-ing' portion of the above described semi-revolution of the parts, before said auxiliary pinion 17 moves into the mutilation or gap 18 of the bevel gear wheel 15. Y

The timing mechanism in its continued operation brings the secondary stud 74 .into operative engagement with the trip lever 70 to actuate the same and again release the holding dog 68 from engagement. beneath the -lower flange' 51 of the clutch sleeve 45 and permit said sleeve to rengage the bevel pinion 16 and cause a revolution of the same in a positive manner, and effect a succeeding semi-revolution of the bevel gear wheel 15, popping pan 24, and other parts which are operatively connected with said bevel gear wheel 15. Vith such succeeding semirevolution of the parts, the popping pan 24, is in its original righted position,and` the full semi-revolution is controlled, and more than a semi-revolution pre-vented by the action of the secondary cam wing 59, on the bevel gear wheel 15, acting against the lower flange 51 of the clutch sleeve 45, to raise the same out of clutching engagement with the bevel pinion 16, and into a fully raised condition, in which it is held by the engagement of the holding toe 60, of the primary holding mechanism, beneath the upper flange 50 of the clutch sleeve 45. Such fully raised condition or lift of the clutch sleeve 45, is due to the greater size of theV secondary cam wing 59, and in addition to unclutching said sleeve from the bevel pinion 6, the further action is to disengage the upper'end 56 of the locking bar 54 from `the clutchtooth 57 of the operating eccentric 52,

and render the timing mechanism dormant. Y

In connection with the operation ofv the bevel pinion 16 in imparting the second s'emi-revolutionabove described to the bevel Having thus fully described my said invention what I claim asfneW and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a corn popping apparatus, a revolubly mounted popping pan and heating accessories, means for imparting intermittent semi-revolutions to the same, and a timing mechanism controlling said means, substani tially'as set forth. i

2. In a corn popping apparatus, a revolubly mounted popping pan and heating accessories, means for imparting intermittent semi-revolutions to the same, a timing mechanism controlling said means and compris-` ing an operating eccentric, a clutch mechanism associated with said eccentric, a paivl carrying yoke associated with said eccentric, a ratchet disk receiving step by step rotationsfrom said yoke and provided With a pair of circularly spaced studs, and a clutch mechanism associated with the means for imparting semi-revolutions `to .the popping pan and adapted for operation by the studs aforesaid, 'substantially as set forth.

3, In a corn poppingapparatus, a revolubly mounted popping panandheating accessories, a gear wheel associated vvith said popping pan, a driving shaft, a pinion associated With the gear wheel and driving shaft aforesaid, a clutch sleeve associated with said pinion and driving shaft, means moving with said gear Wheel for shifting said clutch sleeve into an unclutched condi- `tion, means for holding said sleeve in its unclutched condition, and a timing mechanism operated by the driving shaft and controlling the -`holding mea-ns aforesaid, substantially as set forth.

4; vIn a corn'popping apparatus, a revolu- -bly mounted popping pan and heating accessories, a gear Wheel associated With said popping pan and having a continuous toothed portion and a gapped or mutilated toothed portion, a driving shaft, a primary pinion associated With the continuous toothed portion of the gear Wheel, an auxiliary pinion associated With the mutilated toothed portion of said gear Wheel and fixedlyconnected to the drivingY shaft, a clutch sleeve associated with the primary pinion .andndriving shaft, means moving with said gear Wheel for shifting said clutch sleeve into an unclutched condition, means for holding said sleeve in its unclutched condition, and a timing mechanism operated by the driving shaft and controlling the` vanism operated by the driving shaft and controlling the holding means aforesaid, substantially as set forth.

6. In a corn popping appa atus, a revolubly mounted popping pan and heating accessories, a gear Wheel associated with said popping pan and having a continuous 4Vtoothed portion and a gapped or mutilated toothed portion, a driving shaft, a primary pinion associated with the continuous Vtoothed portion of the gear Wheel, an auxiliary pinion associated With the mutilated toothed portion of said gear Wheel and fixedly connected to the driving shaft, a clutch sleeve 'associated with the primary pinion and driving shaft, cam Wings moving with the gear Wheel and adapted `to move the clutch sleeve into an unclutched condition, means for holding said sleeve in its unclutched condition, and atiming mechanism operated by the driving shaft and controlling the holding means' aforesaid, substantially as set forth.

7. In a corn popping apparatus, a revolubly mounted popping pan and heating accessories, a gear Wheel associated with said.

assopopping pan, a driving shaft, a pinion cited With the gear Wheel and driving shaft aforesaid, a clutch sleeve associated with said pinion and driving shaft, means moving With said gear Wheel for shifting said clutch sleeve into an unclutched condition, means for holding said sleeve in its unclutched condition, a timing mechanism operated by the driving shaft and controlling the holding for retarding the turning movement of the gear Wheel aforesaid, substantially as set forth.

aforesaid, a clutch vsleeve associated with said pinion and driving shaft, means'movi means aforesaid, and resilient friction means ing with said gear Wheel for shifting said clutch sleeve into an unclutched condition, a primary holding means for holding said sleeve in an unclutched condition, a timingV mechanism for operating said primary holding means, clutching means associated With the aforesaid clutch sleeve and the operating member of the timing mechanism, and a sec-' ondary holding means` for holding said clutch sleeve and'clutching means in an unclutched condition, substantially as set forth..

9. In a corn popping apparatus, a revolubl) mounted popping pan and heating accessories, a gear Wheel associated With said popping panA and having a continuous toothed portion and a gapped or mutilated toothed portion, a driving shaft, a primary pinion associated with the continuous toothed portion of the gear Wheel, an auX- iliary pinion associated with the mutilated toothed portion of said gear Wheel and fixedly connected to the driving shaft, a clutch sleeve associated with the primary pinion and driving shaft, means moving with said gear wheel for shifting said clutch sleeve into an unclutched condition, a primary holding means for holding said sleeve in an unclutched condition, a timing mechanism lfor operating said primary holding means, clutching means associated with the aforesaid clutch sleeve and the operating member of the timing mechanism, and a secondary holding means for holding said clutch sleeve and clutching means in an unclutched Condition, substantially as set forth.

l0. In a corn popping apparatus, a revolubly mounted popping pan and heating accessories, a gear Wheel associated with said popping pan, a driving shaft, a pinion associated With the gear Wheel and driving shaft aforesaid, a clutch sleeve associated With said pinion and driving shaft, cam Wings moving with the gear wheel and adapted to move the clutch sleeve into an unclutched condition, a primary holding means for holding said sleeve in an unclutched condition, a timing mechanism for operating said primary holding means, clutching means associated with the aforesaid clutch sleeve and the operating member of `the timing mechanism, and a secondary holding means for holding said clutch sleeve and clutching means in an unclutched condition, substantially as set forth.

ll. In a corn popping apparatus, a revolubly mounted popping pan and heating accessories, a gear Wheel associated with said popping pan and having a continuous toothed portion and a gapped Vor mutilated toothed portion, a driving shaft, a Vprimary pinion associated with the continuous toothed portion of the gear Wheel, an auxiliary pinion associatedkwith the mutilated toothed portion of said gear Wheel and iiXedly con,-

nected to the driving shaft, a clutch sleeve .associated with the primary pinion and drivolubly Amounted popping pan and heatingl accessories, a gear Wheel associated With said popping pan, a driving shaft,- a pinion as` sociated With the gear Wheel and driving shaft aforesaid, a clutch sleeve associated with said pinion and driving shaft, means moving with said gear Wheel for shifting said clutch sleeve into an unclutched condition, a primary holding means for holding said sleeve in an unclutched condition, a timing mechanism for operating said primary holding means, clutching means associated With the aforesaid clutch sleeve and the operating member of the timing mechanism, the same comprising a locking bar moving in a groove in the driving shaft and connect` ed one end With the clutch sleeve aforesaid,

With its other end adapted for clutching engagement With the operating member of the timing mechanism, and a secondary holding means for holding said clutching sleeve and a locking. bar in an unclutched condition,

`substantially as set forth.

13. In a corn popping apparatus, -arevolubly mounted popping pan and heating accessories, means for imparting intermittent semi-revolutions to the same, a timing mechanism controlling said means, and a movable cover for said pan controlling said timing mechanism, substantially as set forth.-

lil. In` a corn popping apparatus, a revolubly mounted popping pan and heating accessories, means for imparting intermittent semirevolutions to the same, a timing mechanism controlling said means and comprising an operating eccentric, a clutch mechanism associated Ywith said eccentric, a pawl carrying yoke associated with said eccentric, a ratchet disk receiving step by step rotation from said yoke and provided with a pair of circularly spaced studs, a clutch mechanism associated with the means for imparting semi-revolutions to the popping pan and adapted for operation by the aforesaid studs, and a movable cover for said pan controlling said timing mechanism, substantially as set forth.

l5. In a corn popping apparatus, a. rev-i volubly mounted popping pan and heating 35 y olubly mounted popping pan and heating accessories, a gear Wheel associated With said popping pan, a driving shaft, a pinion associated with the gear Wheel and driving shaft aforesaid, a clutch sleeve associated with said pinion and driving shaft, means moving with said gear Wheel for shifting said clutch sleeve into an unclutched condition, means for holding said sleeve in its unclutched condition, a timing mechanism operated by the driving shaft and controlling the holding means aforesaid and a movable cover for said pan controlling said timing mechanism,

substantially as set forth.

16.'In a corn popping apparatus, a revolubly mounted popping pan and heating accessories, a gear Wheel associated With said popping pan and having a continuous `toothed portionand a gapped or mutilated 'toothed'portiom a driving shaft, a primary land a movable cover for said pan controlling Y the timing mechanlsm, substantially as set forth.

17. In a corn popping apparatus, a revaccessories, a gear Wheel associated with said popping pan, a driving'shaft, a pinion associated With the gear Wheel and driving shaft aforesaid, a yclutch sleeve associated With said pinion and driving shaft, cam Wings `moving with "the gear Wheel and adapted to move the clutch sleeve into an unclutched condition, means for holding said sleeve in its unclutched condition, a timing mechanism operated by the driving shaft rand controlling the holding means aforesaid,

and a movable cover for said pan controlling said timing mechanism, substantially as set forth.

18. In a corn popping apparatus, a revolublyy mounted popping pan and heating accessories, a gear Wheel associated With said popping pan and having a continuous toothed portion and a gapped or mutilated toothed portion, a driving shaft, a primary pinion associated with the continuous toothed portion of the gear wheel, an auxiliary pinion associated with the mutilated toothed portion of said gear Wheel and ixedly connected to the driving shaft, a clutch sleeve associated with theprimary pinion and driving shaft, cam Wings moving with the gear lWheel and adaptedto move the clutch sleeve into an unclutched condition, means for holding said sleeve in its unclutched condition, a timing mechanism operated by the driving shaft and controlling the holding means aforesaid, and a movable cover for said pan controlling said timing mechanism, substantially as set forth. l

19. In a corn popping apparatus, a revolubly mounted'popping pan and heating accessories, a gear Wheel associated With said popping pan, a driving shaft, a pinion associated With the gear Wheel and driving shaft aforesaid, a clutch sleeve associated with said pinion and driving shaft, means moving with said gear Wheel for shifting said clutch sleeve into an unclutched condition, means for holding said sleeve in its unclutched condition, a timing mechanism operated by the driving shaft and controlling the holding means aforesaid, resilient friction means for retarding the turning movement of the gear Wheel aforesaid, and a movable cover for said pan controlling said timing mechanism, substantially as set forth.

20. In a corn popping apparatus, a revolubly mounted popping pan and heating accessories, a gear Wheel associated With said popping pan, a driving shaft, a pinion associated With the gear Wheel and driving shaft aforesaid, a clutch sleeve associated With said pinion and driving shaft, means moving With said gear Wheel for. shifting said clutch sleeve into an unclutched condition, a primary holding means for holding said sleeve in an unclutched condition, a timing mechanism for operating said primary holding means, clutching means associated With the aforesaid clutch sleeve and the operating member of the timing mechanism, a secondary holding. means for holding said clutch sleeve and clutching means in an unclutched condition, and a movable cover for said pan `controlling the timing mechanism, substantially as set forth.

21. In a corn popping apparatus, a rev- 'olubly mounted popping pan and heating accessories, a gear Wheel associated With said popping pan and having a continuous toothed portion and a gapped or mutilated toothed portion, a driving shaft, a primary pinion associated With the continuous toothed portion of the gear Wheel, an auxiliary pinion associated With the mutilated toothed portion of said gear Wheel and ixedly connected to the driving shaft, a,

clutch sleeve associated With the primary pinion and drivingv shaft, means moving with said gear Wheel for shifting said clutch sleeve into an unclutched condition, a primary holding means for holding said sleeve in an unclutched condition, a timing mechanism for operating said primary holding means, clutching means associated With the aforesaid clutch sleeve and the operating member of the timing mechanism, a secondary holding means for holding said clutch sleeve and clutching means in an unclutched condition, and a movable cover for said pan controlling the timing mechanism, substantially as set forth.

22. In a corn popping apparatus, a revolubly mounted popping pan and heating.

accessories, a gear Wheel associated With said popping pan, adriving shaft, a pinion associated With the gear Wheel and driving shaft aforesaid, a clutch sleeve associated with said pinion and driving shaft, cam Wings moving with the gear Wheel and adapted to move the clutch sleeve into an unclutched condition, a primary holding means for holding said sleeve in an unclutched condition, a timing mechanism for operating said primary holding means, clutching means associated with the aforesaid clutch sleeve and the operating member of the timing mechanism, a secondary holding means for holding said clutch sleeve and clutching means in an unclutched condition, and a movable cover for said pan controlling the timing mechanism, substantially as set forth.

23. In a corn popping apparatus, a revolubly mounted popping pan and heating accessories, a gear Wheel associated With said popping pan and having a continuous toothed portion and a gapped -or mutilated toothed portion, a driving shaft, a primary pinion associated With the continuous toothed portion of the gear Wheel, an auxiliary pinion associated With the mutilated toothed portion of said gear Wheel and fiXedly connected to' the driving shaft, a clutch sleeve associated vvith the primary pinion and driving shaft, cam Wings moving with the gear Wheel and adapted to move the clutch sleeve in an unclutched condition, a primary means for holding said sleeve in an unclutched condition, a timing mechanism for operating said primary holding means, clutching mea-ns associated with the aforesaid clutch sleeve and the operating member of the timing mechanism, a secondary holding means for holding said clutch sleeve and clutching means in an unclutched condition, and a movable cover for said pan controlling the timing mechanism, substantially as set forth.

24. In a corn popping apparatus, a revolubly mounted popping pan and heating accessories, a gear Wheel associated With said popping pan, a driving shaft, a pinion associated With the gear Wheel and driving shaft aforesaid, a clutch sleeve associated With said pinion and driving shaft, means moving with said gear Wheel for shifting said clutch sleeve into an unclutched condition, a primary holding means for holding said sleeve in an unclutched condition, a timing mechanism for operating said primary holding means, clutching means associated With the aforesaid clutch sleeve and the operating member of the timing mechanism, the same comprising a locking bar moving in a groove in the driving shaft and connected at one end with the clutch sleeve aforesaid, Withits other end adapted for clutching engagement with the operating member of the timing mechanism, a secondary holding meansfor holding said clutch sleeve and locking bar in an unclutched condition and a movable cover for said pan controlling the timing mechanism, substantially as set forth.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 17th day of August, 1915.

CHARLES CRETORS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for vc umts each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

